U.S. Policy Regarding Middle East Peace:
Governors' Declarations of Principle

(June 2002)

The respective Republican and Democratic
versions of the Governors' Declarations of Principle, released
together in June 2002 by the Republican Governors Association
and the Democratic Governors Association, differ in few respects.
Most notably, the Democratic declaration, compiled by California
Governor Gray Davis, asserts that "both the Israeli
people and the Palestinian people have the inherent right
to live in peace and security." The Republican declaration,
organized by New York Governor George Pataki, includes no
reference to the Palestinians. The offices of the two governors
described any differences in the two versions as insignificant.
They also reported that most of the seven governors who declined
to sign the respective declarations preferred to leave such
matters concerning foreign policy to the federal government.
Those who did not sign include Minnesota independent Jess
Ventura, Hawaii Democrat Benjamin King, Oregon Democrat John
Kitzhaber, Michigan Republican John Engler, Montana Republican
Judy Martz, and Wyoming Republican Jim Geringer.

Republican Version

1. We, Governors representing individual states of the United States
of America, declare our steadfast support for the state of Israel and
for peace in the Middle East.

2. We wholeheartedly deplore and reject acts of terrorism and the deliberate
targeting of innocent civilians, and call for an immediate end to the
campaign of incitement, terror and violence, particularly homicide bombings,
which have claimed countless innocent lives, and derailed the peace
process.

3. We recognize that the United States and Israel are allies in the
defense of freedom, tolerance and democracy; when those ideals are attacked
anywhere, they are attacked everywhere.

4. We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and renew our commitment
to a viable, lasting and secure peace.

5. We support the President's call upon all parties in the region to
do their utmost to fight terrorism and to achieve peace in the region.

Democratic Version

1. We, the Governors representing individual states of the United States
of America, declare our unequivocal support for the State of Israel
and for the Middle East Peace Process.

2. We call for an immediate end to the campaign of terror and violence
that has claimed countless innocent civilians, derailing the peace process.

3. We wholeheartedly reject acts of terrorism and the deliberate targeting
of innocent civilians with bullets and bombs as a means of conflict.

4. We agree that both the Israeli people and the Palestinian people
have the inherent right to live in peace and security.

5. We recognize that the American people and the Israeli people cherish
the same ideals: freedom, tolerance and democracy; when those ideals
are attacked anywhere, they are attacked everywhere.

6. We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and renew our commitment
to a viable , lasting peace and the peace process pursued by our respective
governments.